My birthday is all about 7s this year. Lucky? I hope so.
Light fixture at the Liberation Café, Melville. (Photo: David Penney)
My birthday is actually today, Sunday 8 July. 8/7 or 7/8, depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re reading this from. But I decided to celebrate on Saturday, 7/7, on Melville’s 7th Street.
I’ve never been big on celebrating my own birthday. In the past, it’s been my habit to sit passively by and wait for someone else (usually a husband or boyfriend) to plan something for me. Sometimes it’s worked out well, other times not.
But I’ve learned a lot since my last birthday. I’ve learned so much, in fact, that my head is spinning. One of the most life-altering things I’ve learned is that I’m responsible for my own happiness.
This year, of all years, I knew that I couldn’t afford to sit back and try to ignore my birthday.
So I resisted the urge to be passive, and reserved a big table at the Liberation Café, my favorite new Melville hangout. I invited some friends to come celebrate with me. Sounds simple, I know, but for me this was ground-breaking.
I think it worked out well.
The Liberation CafĂ© just opened about a month ago, on 7th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. It’s got a quirky style that I like. I keep finding myself in there.
Liberation CafĂ© serves tasty, African-fusion-style tapas. How cute are these mini ostrich burgers? There are also mini bunny chows and mini-boerewors rolls — all delicious.
Thank goodness I handed my camera over to my friend David for much of the night. He’s a much better party photographer than I am. (Photo: David Penney)
I don’t think there’s much else I need to say. We came, we celebrated, it was awesome. The photos speak for themselves.
Chocolate cream-cheese cupcakes from Anita and Johnson. The photo isn’t great and the cupcakes weren’t the prettiest. And yet, so yummy. All 18 of them were gone before I went to bed last night. I ate at least eight or ten of them myself.
The beautiful staff of the Liberation Café. I heart them. (Photo: David Penney)
Me and some of my girls. Me looking a tiny bit glazed. (Photo: David Penney)
I have no memory of this photo being taken. I have no idea who took it. I love everything about it though, especially the random interloper on the right. I think his name is Marvin.
I woke up early this morning, before the sun came up. My first feeling was nausea (too much wine and way too many cupcakes). My second feeling was a twinge of sadness.
I rolled over and realized the Melville Cat was there. He wasn’t home when I went to sleep, but had crept in sometime during the night. Of course, I thought. The Melville Cat wouldn’t leave me alone on my birthday.
I stumbled into the kitchen and found some gift bags on the counter. I had forgotten that people brought me presents last night. I carried them into the bedroom and opened them, while the Melville Cat looked on. I cried a little. Then we watched the sunrise.
Sometimes you have to create your own luck.
Looks like you had lots of fun, may all your dreams come true!
Thanks Gail!
I hope your birthday is the just beginning of many great things. The hangover will pass too.
Haha. Thanks. I hope it passes soon.
Happy happy birthday Heather. Thank goodness for friends – they have saved me on many a lonely birthday.
Thanks Jackie. Yep, thank goodness for friends.
i love the photo with marvin – he was on top form – it was his birthday too – he could really boogie. then there was the chap with the mop .. he came into the picture after marvin … it was really funny. I wish I could have had more than one drink .. but I still had lots of fun and enjoyment.
Yeah, Marvin was something else for sure. He kept promising to buy me drinks but I never got one. (Probably for the best.) I can’t believe you survived such a marathon evening with one drink! Good for you.
Looks like you had all the right ingredients for a good party right there. Happy birthday Heather! 🙂
Yeah, it’s not hard to find a good party around here.
Blessings for a Bee-U-ti-Full Birthday dear Heather! May the celebrations continue 🙂
Thanks Lisa! I need to get up your way soon and celebrate in Ferndale 🙂
The Curry Place awaits…X
Thanx Heather, was awesome hosting you and yr friends, many of whom are mine too… A reminder of how small this world is & how simple life can be…
That’s the greatest thing about Melville. We’re all connected by one degree or less.
Happy Birthday to you, Heather, and all my best wishes!
Thanks Catherine.
Happy birthday, Heather! Nothing wrong with celebrating yourself at least once a year, especially when you have people in your life who are worth celebrating with. I hope the next year gives you more reasons for celebration when your next birthday comes around. 🙂
Thanks Mariel. I’m sure it will.
Way to go and Happy Birthday!
Thanks.
What a bunch of beautiful women! You inspire me to celebrate myself. I’m guessing that “bunny chow” is a veggie plate?
No! Bunny chows are actually the exact opposite of vegetarian! Sorry, I meant to provide a link to an old post about what bunny chows are — they are a South African specialty. Here you go!
http://430779ae203f.xneelosites.com/2010/09/16/chowing-down-durban-style/
Looks like a wonderful celebration, Heather. And I love that light fixture. Happy birthday, my friend.
Hugs,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy. Yeah, that fixture is right up your alley. I hope you’re feeling okay!
Belated birthday wishes. May this year turn out to be ‘life-changing’ in a good way!!
Thanks Joshi. I have no doubt it will be life-changing, for better or worse!
Happy belated birthday Heather!
Dean
Thanks Dean.
Happy Birthday Heather! You have had a lot on your plate this year.
Thanks! At least my life isn’t boring.
Well, happy belated birthday! I’ll have to take your advice to heart. Mine is next week, and I also never really plan anything. And then get disappointed when no one else plans anything either. I do know though that the one thing I hate to do is stay at home and then have to talk on the phone all day to people who call and ask how it feels to be [insert something over 40 here]. So maybe I’ll also have to create my own luck:-)
Yes, I’d highly recommend it.
Those “how does it feel to be over 40” calls are drawing dangerously near for me too.
Happy Birthday Heather. That’s quite an awesome lesson – no matter what anyone else can do, it’s really up to us to be positive (and happy)!
Thanks Mark. Yep, it took me 38 birthdays to learn that one 🙂
Now you’re just making me homesick! That new place looks great, does it have wifi? Happy belatd birthday, Heather!!!!
Hmm, I’m not sure about the wi-fi. I’m not sure it would be a good place to hang out and work during the day though…It’s a bit smokey. Better as an evening destination.
The IT Corner has doubled in size and been totally remodeled. You’re gonna love it.
Belated happy birthday!
Thanks Linda!
never go to that shit hole. that cafe tastes disgusting. their bar tenders know nothing. and the drinks are terrible and overpriced.